Mountain Views-News Saturday November 22, 2025 

WHEN ILLNESS RUINS CHRISTMAS 

For many families, Christmas is a season of 
anticipation—bright lights, shared meals, and 
long-kept traditions. But when illness strikes, the 
holiday can change suddenly, replacing celebration 
with worry and quiet resilience. 

Every year, hospitals see a rise in admissions during 
December, from winter viruses to flare-ups 
of chronic conditions. A child’s fever, a parent’s 
unexpected diagnosis, or a grandparent’s frailty 
can bring plans to a halt. Trees go undecorated, 
travel is cancelled, and festive tables remain 
empty. The disruption is not only practical but 
emotional, as expectations built over weeks collapse 
in a matter of hours. 

Illness often isolates families at the very moment 
they expect togetherness. Those who are sick 
may feel guilt for “spoiling” Christmas, while 
relatives struggle with helplessness. For healthcare workers, the holiday is frequently spent on long 
shifts, caring for patients who would rather be home. Wards are decorated with tinsel and paper 
snowflakes, but they cannot replace familiar voices and routines. 


Yet, amid disappointment, many discover a quieter meaning to the season. A pared-back Christmas 
can shift focus from gifts to care: checking in by phone, dropping off meals, or simply sitting together. 
Small kindnesses—a nurse’s reassurance, a neighbor’s errand—take on greater weight when health 
is uncertain. 

Mental health professionals note that acknowledging grief is important. It is acceptable to feel sad 
when illness interrupts cherished traditions. At the same time, adapting expectations can ease the 
strain. Celebrations can be postponed, simplified, or reimagined. A January gathering or a shared 
video call may not be ideal, but they preserve connection. 

When illness ruins Christmas, it reminds us that the holiday’s heart is not perfection, but compassion. 
In choosing patience, empathy, and care, families often find that—even in a difficult year—the 
spirit of Christmas endures. 

HOW TO FIND A QUALIFIED NURSING HOME FOR ALOVED ONE 

Dear Savvy Senior, 

Can you give me some tips on picking a good 
nursing home for my father? Since his stroke, 
I’ve been taking care of him at home, but he’s 
gotten to the point where it’s too much for me to 
handle. Exhausted Daughter 


Dear Exhausted, 

Choosing a nursing home for a loved one that provides quality is a very important decision that requires careful 
evaluation and some homework. Here are some steps you can take that can help you find a good facility and 
avoid a bad one. 

Make a list: There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top nursing homes in your area including 
the Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 or visit Eldercare.acl.gov for contact information); your dad’s 
doctor or nearby hospital discharge planner; friends or neighbors who may have had a loved one in a nursinghome; and online at Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare. This tool will not 
only help you locate nursing homes in your area, but it also provides a 5-star rating system on recent health 
inspections, staffing, quality of care, and overall rating. 

Also, keep in mind that it’s always best to choose a nursing home that’s close to family members and friends 
who can visit often, because residents with frequent visitors usually get better care. 

Call your long-term care ombudsman: This is a government official who investigates nursing home complaints 
and advocates for residents and their families. This person can tell you which nursing homes have had 
complaints or problems in the past and can help you locate a good facility. Visit LTCombudsman.org for local 
contact information. 

Contact the nursing homes: Once you’ve narrowed your search, call the nursing homes you’re interested in to 
verify that they can facilitate your dad’s needs. Also, find out if they have any vacancies, what they charge, and 
if they accept Medicaid. 

Tour your top choices: During your nursing home visit, notice the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it 
homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Additionally, be sure to taste the 
food, and talk to the residents and their family members, if available. It’s also a good idea to visit several times 
at different times of the day and different days of the week to get a broader perspective. 

And be sure to find out about their staff screening and training procedures, staff-to-patient ratio, and the staff 
turnover rate. 

To help you rate your visit, Medicare offers a helpful checklist of questions to ask at Medicare.gov/
media/document/12130nursing-home-checklist508.pdf that you can print and take with you on your 
visit. 

Paying for Care 

With nursing home costs now averaging $324 per day nationally for a semi-private room and nearly$371 for a private room, paying for care is another area you may have questions about or need assistance 
with. Medicare only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must 
occur after a hospital stay of at least three days.

 Most nursing home residents pay for care from either personal savings, a long-term care insurance 
policy, or through Medicaid once their savings are depleted. Or, if your dad is a veteran,
he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit (see VA.gov/pension/ 
aid-attendance-housebound). 

To learn more about the payment options, ask the nursing home director. You can also get help from 
your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free counseling on all Medicare 
and Medicaid issues. To find a local SHIP counselor visit ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675. 

And for more information, see Medicare’s booklet “Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home” (product 
# 02174). You can view it online at Medicare.gov/Publications. 

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070. 


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OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

CAN YOU EAT TOO MANY COOKIES AT 
CHRISTMAS? 

Christmas was over, and the house began to quiet down in a 
good way. Don’t get me wrong, I love the noise when all the family 
is together. It is a good feeling to be with your family during 
this wonderful holiday season. I love the energy! 

I enjoy the presents and watching the family opening theirs, but I especially love 
the holiday feasts prepared by The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. There was 
only one time when she really messed up. That was when she had broccoli at the 
holiday feast. Nothing is more disgusting to me than seeing broccoli on the table. 
She only did it once, for which I am most grateful. 

Someone might ask what my favorite item on the table was. I would reply by saying, 
the item that is in my mouth at the time. This Christmas season, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage baked a truckload of cookies and shared them 
with friends and neighbors, who greatly appreciated them. 

The only problem with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage baking cookies is 
that I’m in the same house, and the smell infiltrates every room. I can be in my 
office, busy on a project, when suddenly the most fascinating aroma fills the room: 
cookies baking in the kitchen. 

There is a very strict rule in our house about cookies: I can have only one, and onlyif The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage gives it to me. Otherwise, it is a forbidden 
fruit. Every so often, she will slip me a second cookie, and I’m so appreciative 
of that small gesture. 

The great thing about our family coming together for Christmas dinner is that 
there are so many of us. With the little ones always very noisy, I try to stir up that 
noise as much as possible—after all, isn't that a grandfather's job? 

Amid all the holiday noise, I sneak a cookie. If The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
doesn’t catch me, it’s okay—or so I think. I must confess that eating these 
cookies is not my fault. After all, if the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage did not 
make so many delicious cookies, I wouldn’t be tempted. In short, my eating cookies 
is not my fault but hers. 

I’ve tried several times to explain this to her, but she still doesn't buy it. Her idea is 
that I can only have a cookie if she hands it to me. 

During the holiday festivities, with all the noise, I can sneak cookies whenever I 
want. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is so focused on the family, especially 
the great-grandchildren, that I can get away with it. So, if I get away with it, 
it’s all right. Right? 

As our family festivities began, I noticed the stash of cookies the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage had baked. The grandchildren love her cookies. As the festivities 
begin, I asked The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage if I could give some cookies 
to the grandchildren. After all, I explained, she was too busy to do this. 
I must say I caught her by surprise, and because she was busy with something else, 
she just said, “Okay, but remember, no cookies for you.” 

With a big smile on my face, I picked up a plate of cookies and took them around 
to the grandchildren. There was so much activity that I began eating a cookie now 
and then. I made sure the plate was in front of one of the grandchildren before I 
picked up a cookie. I think I covered my tracks pretty well. 

The first grandchild I took the cookie plate to looked at me and said, “Papaw, 
do you want one of my cookies?” Now, how can you refuse your grandchild? I 
thought it was my grandparental duty to respond to my grandchild by saying, “Oh, 
my dear, thank you so much I appreciate that.” And the cookie disappeared from 
the plate into my adoring mouth. 

I was very cautious because when I went to one of my grandchildren, I often made 
sure to check where The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was and whether she 
was looking and in my direction. When she wasn’t, it was a signal for me to get 
another cookie. 

My only question during this festive time was: How many cookies are too many?
After the family activities were over, I relaxed with some coffee and The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage came in and sat down. She looked at me and asked, “So,
how many cookies did you eat today?” 

To answer that question would get me in deep trouble. Instead, I replied, “Wasn’t 
our great-granddaughter so cute?” That was enough to distract her and get her 
talking about our great-granddaughter. I ducked an arrow with that. 

While the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage went on and on about our great-
granddaughter, I remembered a Bible verse I read in my devotions. 

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among 
the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works 
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord” (1Chronicles 16:8-10). 

No amount of trouble can rob me of rejoicing in the Lord. Everything I have is a 
gift from the Lord, and I’m going to appreciate it the rest of my life. 

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.
Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.
com. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com